Hello friends !
Last weekend we poodlesat for a friend. Polly is a poodle who is (to the month) the same age as Gavin and they were closest friends for the first 2 years of his life so she’s more than just “ a friend’s dog” to us. She’s truly a lovely little animal. I had read early on in my hamster self-education that more than a few pet rodents had been done in by the family canine or feline so I was very cautious. Polly didn’t discover Jubs until Saturday evening. At that time Polly began to make a very plaintive, worried sound and start to paw at the hamster cage. I translated that sound to mean, “Snack….mine”. That night, just to be
sure Jubs was safe, I put her cage in the bathroom and locked it. Polly whined and pawed at the bathroom door a few times. I explained to the kids that dogs just naturally want to protect their people from rodents and there would be no way that Polly would know that Jubs is the friendly little thing that she is.
I went to bed early leaving Sonny to look after Polly and take her out for her last nightly visit to that sweet spot in my flower garden she favors.
First thing in the morning Sonny says,” I was sitting on the couch last night and out of the corner of my eye I saw some movement in the kitchen. At first I thought it was a mouse…”
“Jubs??? “ I interjected.
“Yep, one of her cage portals got loose she got out of the cage and under the bathroom door and was near the sliding glass door in the kitchen.”
“Is she ……?” I asked
Knowing what I meant he said, “Polly was asleep, she didn’t even see her”
Phew, I was so relieved. Not only would we have lost a pet, our relationship with Polly would have been ruined too. Close one, I thought.
When our friend Sue came to pick up Polly the next day I explained the harrowing near-death experience to her. Her reply, “Oh no, Carol. She would have just licked her. She LOVES our guinea pig. She’s even hopped into the box with her. She just likes to mother them.”
Now Sue is one of the smartest people I know so to test her theory I opened the bathroom door. Polly could not get to the cage fast enough. The worried, plaintive sounds started again, I took Jubs out and held her cautiously as Polly sniffed and licked her. We didn’t let it last long but it was a relief to know there was no malicious thought process going on in the little dog’s head.
So, I guess I have to add dog/rodent relationships to the list of stuff that I know squat about.
The education continues…Have a great weekend!
Carol
P.S. - O.k., I just measured the door under which Jubs escaped. It measures just slightly over 1.25” high. The “custom” tunnel that she made me think she needed is 2.5 “ in diameter. I think she was trying to put one over on me but I’m on to her now.
